Writing Points presents: teaching
struggling writers
Strategies must be memorized to be used
For your struggling writers to become competent writers they have
to be able to go through the writing process without the crib notes.
In other words, they must memorize the strategies for the
various activities of the writing process.
Some students may memorize the strategies by using going through
the writing process referring to their notes. Others won't even
know where their strategy cheat-sheets are. Rather than rely on
verbal strategy sheets, use mnemonic devices to help students
recall the strategies they must use.
Some students will be able to use verbal mnemonic devices like
acronyms and acrostics. One of the familiar ones is Every
Good Boy Does Fine, in which the first letters of the words indicate
in order the names of the treble clef.
However, for many struggling writers the best mnemonics will
be nonverbal. Colors and/or icons may help some students. Picturing
a room in which the various steps of the process are written on
objects whose first letters begin with the same letter as the point
to be recalled may help some.
Other struggling writers may be helped by rhymes or by setting
the strategies to music. Some may be helped by counting off
the points on their fingers, stroking the fingers as they count
to establish a kinesthetic connection to the verbal information
they are saying.
Writing Points presents: free
resource
WordSift is good vocabulary resource
WordSift
is a free vocabulary site developed by some students at Stanford
University. The site is similar to Wordle,
which I discussed in an
earlier issue, but does much more than just create word clouds.
WordSift definitions are accompanied by photos or art related to
a word's meaning. The pictures put definitions in a context. This
visual aspect make the site especially good for students who like
to learn visually.
I recommend Russell
Stannard's training video on how to use WordSift. Russell teaches
English language learners so he understands what the English teacher
needs. He also isn't afraid to say he doesn't know something, which
is a refreshing change from know-it-all-geeks. Russell's
teacher training videos are free and very good.
Writing Points presents: new
pages
Interview with learning disorders expert
The new content page this month is an interview
about teaching students with language-learning disorders.
I met Livia McCoy, through Twitter and bought her book
When Learning Is Painful: How to Help Struggling Students—A
Resource for Parents and Teachers. Livia teaches science
at The New Community School in Richmond, VA., a private, college
preparatory school for students with dyslexia. The school features
daily instruction in reading, writing, spelling so Livia knows the
challenges you face teaching writing. You don't have to teach special
education to profit from her practical tips.
Writing Points presents: new
page
Different slant on grammar websites
I posted a new page about grammar
websites. Unlike most directory pages on the topic, this one
links to site information about common, serious, specific errors
in student writing.
The page grew out of information I prepared for my forthcoming
e-book Grammar Abusers Anonymous: 12 Steps to Kick the Bad Grammar
Habit. The program is designed to help mature and adult students
study grammar without help from a teacher.
Writing Points presents: a note
from Linda
Phone, email woes put me at a loss
On March 5, I discovered I couldn't make phone calls. Since I rarely
make more than one or two calls a month, that was no big deal —
until I found that wasn't the only problem with the phone. Voice
mail messages weren't getting to me either.
That same morning I discovered there were problems with my @you-can-teach-writing.com
email. Messages were not getting to me (including information submitted
on forms on the site) and people were not able to reply to mail
I sent out.
I spent 7½ hours that day in online chat with the Internet
phone service. I ended up with no phone working at all — and
the changes the technicians had me make messed up my LAN. The phone
problem wasn't resolved until March 13.
The email problem turned out to be a system-wide glitch introduced
when my web hos updated its software in late February. Engineers
"are working on it." I've switched email systems, but
there's no way to tell what I may have lost in the three-weeks.
If you are one of the folks who were inconvenienced and upset by
my technical problems, I apologize. Believe me, I did all I could
to solve the problems and get back to business. If you sent me
a message that wasn't answered, please try again. The new email
service just went online this morning.
The next issue of Writing Points should be released
April 15, no providence preventing. I'm planning to launch Grammar
Abusers Anonymous that day as well; watch for a chance to
get a free copy.
Until then, keep your pencil sharp. (You may need it to get in
touch with me if I have more phone and email problems!)
Linda Aragoni
